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Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day
June 10, 2006
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Resource Packet
God’s Place for Women in Ministry
Written by Priscilla Matimba Ben
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
Produced by Department of Women’s Ministries
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
My Dear Sisters:
Enclosed is the Resource Packet for the 2006 Women’s Emphasis Day titled “God’s Place for
Women in Ministry.” This program was prepared by Priscilla Matimba Ben of the Southern AfricaIndian Ocean Division (SID) and has been prepared with much prayer and thought. In past years
Priscilla served as Women’s Ministries director for SID so she knows of the challenges you face in
your ministry.
The focus of this packet is on the importance that God places on each woman to minister for Him
wherever she may be. Feel free to adapt the information to suit the women in your cultural setting.
Remember, this is a day when we celebrate women who have given of their time, talent, and even
their lives to serve God. Take time to recognize some of these women and to praise God for their
joyful service.
We are asking that you place emphasis on three divisions. They are the Euro-Africa Division, South
Pacific Division, and the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. The following pages contain
reports of the work in these divisions and we seek your prayers on their behalf. This information can
you included in your Sabbath School program by women dressed in the costumes of some of the
countries found in these divisions. The ideas are many.
The work of Women’s Ministries would not grow if it was not for your allowing God to use you to
minister to women. As you present this program, please emphasize the need for all women to have a
ministry that touches the lives of those in need as we tell of Jesus love.
Love and joy
Heather-Dawn Small
Director
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Table of Contents
Page
About the Author
3
Featured Divisions
4
Worship Service Outline
6
Outlined Sermon
7
Optional Reading
14
E.G. White Quotes
15
Women’s Ministries – How to Be Involved
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About the Author
Priscilla Ben is publishing director for Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division. She served as
Women's Ministries director of the former Eastern Africa Division. After teaching home economics
for 12 years she became a full-time literature evangelist. She also served as the conference and union
publishing director in Zambia. Prisiclla is married to Pastor Strike Ben (Botswana) and mother of one
daughter.
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Featured Divisions


South Pacific Division
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
South Pacific Division
Joy Butler, Director of Women’s Ministries
Territory: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the thousands of islands in the Pacific straddling
the equator and south of it which are Cook Islands, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Pitcairn Island,
Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tokelau, Kiribati. The membership is 368,682
as at June, 2005.
There are 4 Unions in the SPD.
The Papua New Guinea Union Mission has the major portion of the division membership and Women’s
Ministries grows in support and outreach every year. Thousands of women attend retreats, workshops and
prayer programmes. There has been a strong emphasis on prayer ministry and Prayer Power Houses are being
constructed, often out of grass, on mission compounds, in church grounds and in Sabbath School rooms.
Miracles are being experienced and healings take place as women turn to God in prayer for their families,
friends and their nations. Where there is war between tribes, Women’s Ministries has been a significant factor
in bringing about peace. Teen retreats for mothers and daughters are a feature and now boys want the same.
In the Trans Pacific Union Mission there are thousands of small islands scattered across a broad section of
the vast Pacific Ocean. Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification programmes are being conducted in
almost every mission and women are being empowered to realize their potential and to conduct outreach
programmes. In the Solomon Islands they are now very active in conducting retreats whereas in the past they
have been unable to do this because of major political unrest. The women are leading the way in restoring
and rebuilding their nation through strong prayer programmes in most churches. Women travel long distances
by small planes, boats, canoes and walking through thick bush and narrow mountainous tracks to attend
events. Many professional Adventist women are committed to lending their support to Women’s Ministries
as dentists, doctors, nurses, teachers and business women.
The New Zealand Pacific Union Conference includes a French connection with the two island nations of
New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Both these groups lend a colourful and beautiful touch of tropical
paradise to all women’s events. A recent congress for this mission gathered over 200 women from the many
islands scattered across the Pacific. Churches in New Zealand have conducted evangelism preaching series
with resulting baptisms. In New Caledonia every year they invite the public to the Abuse Prevention
Awareness day with professional women leading. There has been a very strong emphasis on Women’s
Ministries Leadership training for the last 3 years with over 200 women graduating from Level 1 and retreats
continue to grow.
The Australian Union Conference has 9 Conferences where the attendance at women’s retreats grows every
year. These retreats provide friendship, support, networking and inspiration to 1000s of women every year.
The retreats have become famous for their excellent organization and touch of elegance. Many nonAdventists attend and those who are having a break from church. As a result, women have returned to church
and others have been converted. Most conferences produce newsletters which describe their particular
outreach and encouragement. Local church Women’s Ministries outreach programmes are experiencing an
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expansion as women realize their worth and responsibility. The indigenous Aboriginal women of Australia
have recently become involved in Women’s Ministries and plan to have a Women’s Corroboree in the centre
of Australia in 2007.
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
Emilienne Rasamoely, Director of Women’s Ministries
Territories in SID:
Angola, Botswana, Comoro Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Ascension, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha Islands; comprising the Southern Africa, Zambia
and Zimbabwe Union Conferences, and the Angola, Botswana, Indian Ocean, Malawi and Mozambique
Union Missions.
In Angola and Mozambique Unions, a literacy program “From the Bible to the Bible” is used to teach
people to read as well as telling them about Christ and his love for them, making use of the Bible as reading
material. The program is presented by local Women’s Ministries leaders and other volunteers to whole
communities, including non-adventists and is proving to be a successful way of evangelizing, apart from
empowering women.
Botswana Union is running a strong health ministry program, covering Breast Cancer Awareness; HIV/AIDS
Programs where especially young ladies are challenged to refrain from pre-marital sex by making use of the
program “Integration of Faith and Sexuality”. Mother/daughter Relationship Building programs are presented
as a means of strengthening the young person’s moral framework in our society of today.
One of the major problems facing women within the SID territory is the HIV/AIDS Pandemic, and
Women’s Ministries in all our unions are deeply committed to assist victims (sufferers), orphans, widows and
family members in their battle against it. Training programs are launched to equip women to be selfsupporting, providing not only for their own families, but orphans of relatives. Botswana Union plan to
operate a bakery on the premises of an HIV/AIDS Orphanage in Maun. This model is later to be copied in
other areas.
Self-Supporting Development Programs were newly implemented in our different unions and will be
continued in 2006 onwards:
 BOTSWANA - Training of Personnel of Bakery at HIV/AIDS Orphanage - Maun
 IOUM – Fish farming project (early stage) Central Madagascar Mission
 SAU – Vegetable farming project for HIV/AIDS orphans – Western Cape
 MALAWI – SOUTH MALAWI FIELD: Banana growing Project
 ZIMBABWE – Brick making (early stages) BULAWAYO
 ZAMBIA – Bundoli Girl’s Bakery and Mushroom Project, South Zambia Conference
 ANGOLA (Luanda and rural areas, spreading to all the churches) and
MOZAMBIQUE (Maputo)– Literacy Project, also funded with donations from Professional
Business Camp meeting in Johannesburg, February 2005.
In Madagascar there are strong revival outreach meetings in several regions. Other Unions also plan to
include revival and spiritual nurture programs, especially reaching out to new converts. Materials are freely
available to everybody.
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God’s Place for Women in Ministry
Worship Service Outline
Call to Worship
Hebrews 10:23-25
Opening Song
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal # 341
“To God Be the Glory”
Pastoral Prayer
Please keep in mind the special needs of
women in –
 Southern Asia Division
 Southern Asia-Pacific Division
 North American Division
your local congregation and Women’s
Ministries in general.
Offertory Reading
2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (optional)
Offertory Song
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal # 369
“Sowing in the Morning” (optional)
Responsive Reading
You choose. Bearing the theme in mind
Special Music
You choose. Bearing the theme in mind
Children’s Story
You Choose.
Sermon
God’s Place for Women in Ministry
Closing Hymn
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal # 359
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling”
Closing Prayer
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Sermon
God’s Place for Women in Ministry
INTRODUCTION:
The nominating committee for City Centre Seventh Day Adventist Church in Harare Zimbabwe,
Africa had just completed nominating the officers for the new church calendar year and Alice
Mafanuke (Maa-faa-nuu-ke) was chosen to lead Women’s Ministries Department. It was not very
clear to her what the Women’s Ministries Department was all about and she was very uncomfortable
to lead. However, with encouragement from the local church pastor and his wife, she accepted to be
the leader that year. That was 5 years ago. In May 2005 Alice had a testimony to share and she was
bubbling with joy as she shared the experiences she is going through in her new congregation in
Marondela (Maa-roo-ndee-la) Zimbabwe. Alice says in that area, the Women’s Ministries department
together with the young women from her new church are meeting with about 60 non-Seventh-day
Adventist women on a monthly basis and are using seminar evangelism to reach out to the needs of
women. So far they have conducted many seminars including Stress Management, Parenting, Estate
Planning and Writing Wills, Abuse, and Finance Management etc. All the women who attend the
meetings for the first time are given two books – Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ. These women
have expressed a desire to invite their families to benefit from the seminars as well.
Women’s Ministries. Is there a Biblical basis for such a ministry? As you continue to develop or
conduct programs for Women’s Ministries in your local church it is important to study and know
what the Bible teaches about women, their needs, and their responsibilities before God. The Bible
provides a program that speaks with authority and power to the needs of women. Today I would like
to present five reasons from the Bible that shows the worth God places on women and God’s place
for her in ministry.
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I.
BIBLICAL BASIS FOR A WOMAN’S WORTH AND GOD’S PLACE FOR HER IN
MINISTRY.
A. Qualified by original design
One of the first things the Bible tells about women is that they have been created in the
image of God.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over
all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created
man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them. (Gen. 1:26-27)
The first reason that woman can enjoy a sense of worth is that she was created in
God’s image.
Women are qualified for ministry through creation.
B. Qualified by redemption
The second reason Christian women can enjoy a healthy sense of self-worth and feel
confident to minister is that she was redeemed at great price.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. That whosoever believes in
him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
With salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in each individual (I Corinthians 6:19,
20) and each is given spiritual gifts. Each redeemed woman is responsible to live a
life of dependence upon the Holy Spirit and of obedience to God.
Women are qualified and equipped for ministry by redemption.
C. Qualified by Old Testament example
A third reason women are qualified for ministry is that in Scripture God used women
in ministry for Him.
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Miriam the sister of Aaron (Exodus 15:20-21), is called a prophetess ,one who speaks
God’s word; and in Micah 6:4 God tells Israel that he set before them as leaders
Moses, Aaron and Miriam.
The Bible says women were “skilled” and “willing” and voluntarily contributed of
their possessions and worked with their hands in constructing the Tabernacle (Exodus
35:21-22, 25-26).
Most of us remember Deborah as the one who commanded Barak to lead the army.
But he was reluctant to accept the leadership position that God had called him to
which resulted in Deborah accompanying him into battle. She was also a judge and a
prophetess of Israel (Judges 4:4-8).
Abigail rescued her household by demonstrating great courage and initiative. She
gave King David wise counsel, reminding him that he was called of God and saving
him from taking murderous revenge (I Sam 25).
The entire book of Esther recounts the story of a courageous young woman who risked
her life and comfortable position to save her people from a enemy who desired their
death.
Proverbs 31 describes a woman who is often overwhelming to women who consider
all that is written about her. Here was a priceless woman who feared God, cared for
her family, managed her home, and used all her abilities and talents.
Women in the Old Testament participated in worship, art, family life, and community
life with creativity, decisiveness, freedom, and authority. They used their gifts and
talents to serve God and to influence their families and their nation. It is important to
realize that women were never forbidden to speak in public in Old Testament times.
Women are qualified for ministry by Old Testament example.
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D. Qualified by the example of Jesus
By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry there was great degradation of women. Rather
than being equal with man, she had become nothing more than a man’s property in
many cases. In Jesus’ day, Jewish men prayed, “Praise God that I am not created a
Gentile. Praise God that I am not created a slave. Praise God that I am not created a
woman.” But Jesus changed all that. He showed love, concern and respect for
women.
As a little child, Jesus showed respect for women by obeying Mary, his mother. Even
in his agony at the cross, one of His last concerns was to provide for her future.
Let’s take a look at four Bible stories that reveal Jesus’ attitude towards women. After
all, what better example do we have?
1. A Woman’s Place (Luke 10:38-42)
In this passage we find the story of Martha who was busy serving while Mary her
sister sat at the feet of Jesus. In Jesus’ day the Jews believed that a woman was
not worthy to understand the Law. Her place was in the home caring for the needs
of her husband and family. But in this remarkable incident Jesus clearly indicates
that a woman’s place is not only in serving but learning. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet
and He taught her.
2. A Woman’s Sin (Mark 14:1-9)
The story of a woman overwhelmed with gratitude to Jesus for his gift of
forgiveness and mercy. She knew that there was no double standard with Jesus.
He accepted her. Her repentance and sorrow were great—her tears were tears of
sorrow as well as joy. Sorrow for her sin, but joy for the Jesus’ forgiveness. Her
expensive gift was small but costly and represented all she had to give. And Jesus
honored her for her sacrifice.
3. A Woman’s Gift (Luke 21:1-4)
In this story we find a poor widow whose gift of two copper coins surpassed the
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rich gifts of those who had more left than they gave. Jesus praised the woman for
her willingness to be generous with what she had.
4. A Woman’s Witness (Mark 16-1-11).
Here we find the resurrection story. Who had the love required to go visit the
sepulcher and bathe the dead body of the Savior with spices and ointments? Who
was it who first had the courage to go and see if anything could be done for Jesus
with the Roman soldiers everywhere around? To what human voice was it given
to be the first to say, “Jesus is risen from the dead”?
Women are qualified for ministry by the example of Jesus.
E. Women qualified by the example of the Early Church
What about women in the early church? Can we find historical precedent for a
ministry by women? Women were present in the upper room when the Holy Spirit was
poured out upon believers (Acts 1:9-14).
Like Lydia and Priscilla many hosted the early church meetings. There were no
church buildings until the third century, so all the early church meetings were
conducted in homes. Women were active in ministry in the early church.
In the book of Acts alone we find specific women named. Acts 18:24-26 tells us that
Priscilla was a teacher who taught Apollos. Lydia, in Acts 16, was the first convert in
Europe and hosted the church at Philippi. In Acts 9 we read of Dorcas who was called
a disciple, a helper of widows and the poor. And in Acts 23:8.9 we read of Philip’s
four daughters who were prophetesses.
Women in the early church were active in public worship. Often in reading I
Corinthians 11 regarding women and head coverings, we become so involved in the
head covering and that we forget the first words of verse 5, “And every woman who
prays or prophecies.”
These women were speaking God’s word and praying in the public worship service.
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Women were considered qualified and were given opportunity to minister in the early
church.
Women are qualified for service by the example of the Early Church.
II.
CALLED TO MINISTRY
If we can see from Scripture that Christian women in general are qualified for
ministry, can we find Scripture extending to her a call to be involved in ministry to
others?
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, both men and women. He seeks to
restore them to their original creation—the image of God. Jesus, who is our example
ministered to women restoring their value as human beings. We live in a world where
restoration is sorely needed, and women have been called to help in this restoration
process by ministering to one another.
Let us read two New Testament texts that tell some specific works of ministry God has
called women to do:
Titus 2:3-5. “Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to
be slanderers or slave to drink; they are to teach what is good, and so train the
young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste,
domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may
not be discredited.”
I Timothy 5:10. “She is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up
children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in
trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”
Then E. G. White gives us further clarification on a woman’s role. She writes:
“The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in
His work at this crisis, and He will work through them. If they are imbued with a
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sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they will have just
the self-possession required for this time.
“The Savior will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His
countenance and will give them a power that exceeds that of men.
“They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner
life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor
is needed.” Evangelism, page 464
“Let every woman realize the sacredness of her work and in the strength and fear of
God, take up her mission. Testimonies to the Church, Volume 3 page 565
God has given women a great responsibility. He has called them to minister both to
other women and in families. Along with this call He also provides the gifts
(Ephesians 4:11-16) and the power (Philippians 4:13) needed to perform the task.
Women understand women. Women have a sensitive side that is suited to working
with families in need. We must teach them the Word of God so that they can be
equipped for service. We must encourage them to use their gifts to serve each other
and the world around them. We must help them learn how to share, not only the Good
News of a loving Savior and the hope of His soon return but to reach out and touch
families with God’s love and care.
III.
CONCLUSION:
Each woman is unique – there is no one like you or me in the entire world.
Each of us is influential in the sphere God has given us in which to make an
impact – our family, church, place of employment, friends and neighbors.
For that reason each of us is responsible and accountable to God for how we
use our gifts and opportunities He has given us. Each of us will stand before
Him individually as a woman, as a minister for Christ.
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Optional Reading
In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth....
The world yet incomplete
on the sixth day God created her
WOMAN.
God looked at all that He had made
and saw that it was very good.
And God said to her,
WOMAN
I have created you in my
image and likeness and
YOU ARE GOOD.
Then
sin entered the world
and death through sin.
But
God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son
to be born of a Woman;
to live and die and rise again
that man and womankind
might have eternal life.
Therefore,
If a woman is in Christ Jesus,
She is a new creation;
the old life has gone; the new life has begun.
And God said,
Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth.
Be glad and rejoice forever
In what I will create.
A paraphrase by Anne Wham
From Genesis 1, Romans 8, John 3, II Corinthians 5, and Isaiah 63
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E. G. White Quotes About Women

“When a great and decisive work is to be done, God chooses men and women to this
work, and it will see the loss if the talents of both are not combined.” Evangelism 469

“We may do a noble work for God if we will. Woman does not know her power for
God…There is a higher purpose for woman, a grander destiny. She should develop and cultivate her
powers, for God can employ them in the great work of saving souls from eternal ruin.” Testimonies
Vol 4,642 and Evangelism 465.

“There never was a time when more workers were needed than at the present. There
are brethren and sisters throughout all our ranks who should discipline themselves to engage in this
work, in all our churches something should be done to spread the truth. It is the duty of all to study
the various points of our faith.” Review and Herald, April 1, 1880.

“If there were twenty women where now there is one, who would make this Holy
Mission (one-to-one ministry) their cherished work, we should see many more converted to the truth.
The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the
truth.” Evangelism 471.

“There certainly should be a larger number of women engaged in the work of
ministering to suffering humanity… When believing women shall feel the burden for souls…they
will be working as Christ worked. They will consider no sacrifice too great to make to win souls to
Christ.” Evangelism 465.

“Intelligent Christian women may use their talents to the very highest account… wives
and mothers should in no case neglect their husbands and their children, but they can do much
without neglecting home duties…” Welfare Ministry, 164.
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Women’s Ministries – How to Be Involved
Women are an influential force in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When women are ministered
to, the family, church, and community receive the benefits of their spiritual strength and their
ministry.
You are invited to become involved in a number of ways:

Through prayer and encouragement

By helping to see that there is an active Women's Ministries program in your church,
conference/field, union and division

By volunteering your talents and leadership abilities

Through your financial support
Women's Ministries is involved in sponsoring and developing a number of programs and activities.
Some of these are:

International Women's Day of Prayer (First Sabbath in March)

Women's Ministries Day (Second Sabbath in June)

Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day (4th Sabbath in August)

I Married a Possibility

Literacy programs

Prayer and Love Saves

Global Mission projects

Area - wide retreats, rallies and congresses

Prayer groups and prayer chains

Small group ministries/Bible studies

Church hospitality

Mentoring young girls and women

The Widow’s Mite

Leadership Training etc
Six critical issues
There are six critical issues that particularly impact women around the world. These issues are:
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1. Illiteracy
2. Abuse
3. Poverty
4. Health risks
5. Work loads
6. Lack of mentoring and leadership training
As Christians, seeking to follow the example of Jesus, we believe that it is important to do what we
can to meet the needs of all people, developing trust, and helping them to find the answer to their
needs. For this reason, Women's Ministries has chosen to focus much of its attention to these
challenges.
Before much can be done to address most of these needs, a person must be able to read. Almost one
adult cannot read: about three-fourths of these are women. They cannot read the instructions on a
medicine bottle, fill out an employment form, or read the directions for a household cleaner. Neither
can they read a Sabbath School lesson to a child nor read the Bible. Like many in the Dark Ages,
they must get their Gospel from someone else.
These are certainly challenges for everyone in the church. Women's Ministries invites all to join
together to share the Good news of the Gospel!
Adapted from GC Women’s Ministries Handbook.
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